After a dominating Moore League run, the Long Beach Poly girls wrestling team continued to shine Thursday night at the Moore League Finals.
From the opening finals match, the Jackrabbits proved why they were the league champs as they walked away with eight champions – one more than they finished with last season.
“This was amazing to see,” Poly coach Ken Lee said. “They put in so much hard work from the beginning of the season until now. You can see how this became the outcome as they progressed throughout the season.”
Regihlene Valdez kick started the night as she defeated Wilson’s Madi Emigh for the 102 title.
It was all Poly to start the finals as Riley Pastanas (107), Nicole Comia (112), Daniela Angeles (117) and Rocelyn Uce (117) all pinned their opponents as the Jackrabbits won the first five league crowns.
Millikan’s Gabriela Bonilla was the first non-Poly athlete to win as she defeated Jordan’s Alicia Martinez for the 127-pound crown.
“Last year was my first year wrestling,” Bonilla said. “I feel like in the offseason my dad – who’s also my coach – made sure I put in the work and improved. So being able to win this one makes me really happy. I feel like my work is starting to show.”
One of Poly’s two seniors, Dalila Preciado came right back as she defeated Millikan’s Amiyah McIntyre by a 15-0 major decision to claim her third straight league title.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be on this team,” Preciado said. “All my teammates work really hard and I think it’s well deserved. I thank my coach because he’s really hard on us but that’s what we need and I’m happy to be with this supportive team with all the love around me.”
Lakewood came away with three league champions on their home mats as Kayla Selvidge started it off for the Lancers, defeating Poly’s Devyen Kripp by an 8-7 decision.
“I’ve wrestled for four hard years,” Selvidge said. “I’ve just put so much work into wrestling and it’s basically my life and it’s so important to me and I just put everything on the mat. This is only one step to something further. It’s only the beginning, I hope I get really far this year.”
Selvidge wasn’t the only Lancer to bounce back from a loss last season, as her teammates Esper Sanchez and Ashley Wafer both came away to bounce their tickets to the CIF Southern Section Individual meet.
Results
102: Poly’s Reighlene Valdez wins by pin vs. Wilson’s Madi Emigh
107: Poly’s Riley Pestanas wins by pin vs. Wilson’s Vivian Spranger
112: Poly’s Nicole Comia wins by pin vs. Lakewood’s Fallon Jones
117: Poly’s Daniela Angeles wins by pin vs. Wilson’s Daniela Orozco
122: Poly’s Rocelyn Uce wins by pin vs. Wilson’s Hailey Fenton
127: Millikan’s Gabriela Bonilla wins by pin vs. Jordan’s Alicia Martinez
132: Poly’s Dalila Preciado wins by 15-0 decision vs. Millikan’s Amiyah McIntyre
137: Poly’s Kylie Carrera wins by pin vs. Millikan’s Isabella Martinez
142: Millikan’s Kayde Preciado wins by pin vs. Lakewood’s Mia Pryor
147: Lakewood’s Kayla Selvidge wins by 8-7 decision vs. Poly’s Devyen Kripp
157: Poly’s Berlynn Solia-Tago wins by pin vs. Wilson’s Jocelyn Flores
172: Jordan’s Liliana Sarmiento wins by forfeit
192: Lakewood’s Esper Sanchez wins by pin vs. Poly’s Brazil Solia-Tago
237: Lakewood’s Ashley Wafer wins by pin vs. Millikan’s Kaivah Kao
